How to paint kitchen cabinets: an expert, step-by-step guide

The process of painting kitchen cupboards isn’t easy, but it's a lot cheaper than replacing them – and more sustainable. 

Here, we guide you through the process of painting kitchen cabinets with expert tips from Which? Trusted Traders and advice from DIYers. 

Plus, find out how much it's likely to cost. 

Looking for further money-saving advice? Read how to renovate your kitchen on a budget

Can I paint my kitchen cabinets myself?

Yes, you can paint your kitchen cabinets yourself, but it does require a lot of preparation, so weigh up whether it's worth the time and money if you plan to replace them at a later date. 

Before you start, find out what type of kitchen cabinet finish you have – the smoother the surface, the harder it is for the paint to stick, meaning it will be more prone to chipping. 

Broadly, there are three types of kitchen finish: 

• Wood or painted wood cabinets - because wood is quite coarse, it's easy to paint. You'll get the best results painting this type of cabinet. 
• Laminate-wrapped cabinets - these are made of MDF or chipboard wrapped in laminate. You can paint these cabinets provided you use a good-quality, shellac-based primer.
• Plastic or vinyl-wrapped cabinets - these cabinets are also made of MDF or chipboard, but they're wrapped in plastic or vinyl. Of all the finishes, this is the smoothest. We don't recommend painting these cabinets, as you’ll struggle to get a durable result.

How hard is it to paint kitchen cabinets?

We spoke to 11 Which? Trusted Traders to get their advice on painting kitchen cabinets. 

The majority of traders said that painting your cabinets is only possible for people with an intermediate or advanced level of DIY skills (64%). 

Furthermore, most (73%) reported that they had been called out to fix cabinets that DIYers had attempted to paint themselves. The issues were usually caused by not prepping the cabinets properly. 

So before you start, be honest with yourself about your level of capability.

If you're consider replacing your kitchen, read our guide to the best kitchen brands 

How to paint kitchen cabinets: step by step

1. Gather your supplies 

You'll need:

• Multipurpose degreaser
• Filler
• Sandpaper (120 grit)
• Sanding block or orbital sander
• Dust mask 
• Primer
• Sealant (if you're painting wood, you'll need a sealant, or a primer that contains sealant)
• Top coat 
• Paint brush and tray

Optional extras include:

• Small plastic bags to store any handles and hardware
• Painters tape to protect walls, tiles and appliances
• Dust cloths to cover the floor
• Microfibre or tack cloth to remove dust after sanding
• Saw horses or painting stands/pyramid risers to rest the doors on when painting

2. Prepare your cabinets 

Good preparation is labour-intensive, but essential for a durable finish. 

Remove doors and hardware

Prepare the area by laying dust sheets and ensuring you have adequate ventilation. 

Remove all the doors, handles and hinges, then number all the cabinets and doors, and put hinges and handles into small bags labelled with the corresponding number. 

If necessary, cover the walls around your cabinets with painters tape. 

Degrease your cabinets

According to Dom Pearson, from Pearson's Home Improvements, this is one of the most important steps in the process. 

‘Over years of use, grease and grime will build up on your kitchen – this can’t be removed with normal soap,’ says Dom. ‘You'll need to use a general purpose degreaser to get your cabinets clean.’

If you don’t degrease properly, the paint will separate on your cabinet and impact the durability of your paint. 

Add wood filler (if necessary)

Use wood filler to fill any nicks or dents in your cabinet.  

Sand the cabinets

‘The aim of this step is not just to smooth the filler, but also to slightly roughen the surface of your cabinet,’ says Dom. ‘This gives the paint something to stick to.’

Painted wood cabinets are the easiest finish to sand – all you need to do is roughen the paint a little.

For plain or varnished wood cabinets, you'll need to sand until you've removed old varnish and the finish is a little rough.

For laminate-wrapped cabinets, sand until the surface of the cabinet is matt rather than satin. You're aiming to remove the finish of the laminate, not the laminate itself. 

3. Prime your cabinets for painting

Treat plain wood

If you're painting plain wood, you'll need to seal it before you paint. Without sealant, oil from the tannins in the wood can seep through and create dark spots on your paint.

If you're painting hardwood, you'll need to seal the whole cabinet. If you're painting softwood, you'll need to seal the knots. 

Alternatively, you can look for a primer that also contains a sealant.

Prime the surfaces

Once you've sanded, it’s time to prime – primer is what enables your paint to stick. 

If you're painting hardwood or laminate, use a shellac primer, as this is better at adhering to slippery surfaces. 

If you're painting softwood or painted wood, a water-based primer should work.

Sand again (optional)

This isn't essential, but you may opt to sand your cabinets again after priming. This will ensure you get the smoothest finish. 

Ensure that you use a fine-grit sandpaper and do not remove the layer of primer you've just added. 

4. Paint your cabinets

Apply the paint in thin layers and allow it to fully dry (overnight) before adding the next layer – add as many layers as you need to achieve your desired finish.

'Remember that all your top coat will do is change the colour of your cabinet. It won’t create a smooth finish or cover any faults,' says Dom. 'That means your cabinets need to be in almost perfect condition before you start adding colour.'

'You should also bear in mind that professional-standard paints take about three weeks to finish curing. For the best results, touch the paint as little as possible, and try to avoid getting grease on the surface. It's best to avoid frying oily foods if you can.'

Best paint for kitchen cabinets

You need two types of paint for this process – primer and top coat. 

The primer is really important, because that’s what sticks to the surface of your cabinet. Shellac-based primers are better at adhering to surfaces without much grip (laminate and hardwood cabinets), but water-based options are generally easier to work with. 

For the top coat, use a paint designed for wooden surfaces. 

You'll need around 5 litres of both primer and top coat to paint a medium-sized kitchen (approximately 10 units).

You also need to choose between professional and standard-quality paints. Professional paints are more expensive, but all the Which? Trusted Traders we spoke to recommended them over standard paints. 

The traders also recommended the following brands of primer and paint (bear in mind that we haven't tested these products):

Best primer for kitchen cabinets:

• Zinsser B-I-N. Available from major DIY retailers, including Amazon, Wickes, or B&Q
• Zinsser B-I-N Aqua. Available from Amazon or B&Q

Best paint for kitchen cabinets:

• Tikurilla Helmi. Available from retailers including Amazon, B&Q or The Paint Shed 
• Benjamin Moore Scruff-X. Available from professional retailers including The Paint Shed
• Renner. Available from professional retailers including All Finishes

Should I use a brush, roller, or sprayer on my cabinets?

If you have a sprayer available to you, this is the best option for painting your kitchen cabinets. It will achieve the smoothest finish and is fastest, but it does cost more to buy and the paints are more expensive.

A roller is a good compromise – it's still fairly quick and will achieve a smooth finish. Ensure you also have a brush for smaller areas and details. 

You can use a brush alone to paint your cabinets, but it can leave brush marks on large, flat surfaces.  

How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?

Two main factors will determine the cost of painting your kitchen cabinets:

• The size of your kitchen - if you're painting a medium-sized, 10-unit kitchen, you'll need around 5 litres of paint.
• The quality of the products you choose - professional quality paints cost more, but are more durable

According to our pricing research, it'll cost you around £160-£170 to paint your kitchen cabinets using standard quality paints, and around £320-£330 using professional quality paints:

How long does it take to paint kitchen cabinets?

The time it takes to repaint your cabinets can range from a few days to over a week, depending on the size of your kitchen. 

For best results, you should allow your primer and each layer of paint to dry overnight – adding a layer of wet paint over a layer over damp paint will result in a lumpy finish.

Decided it's not for you? Use Which? Trusted Traders to find a reliable painter and decorator in your area:

Tips for painting different types of kitchen cabinets 

Repainting painted cabinets

If you're repainting dark cabinets with a lighter shade, you'll need to use more layers of primer. 

Ensure you return your cabinetry to a neutral base so that the older, darker shade doesn't show through and affect the new paint colour.  

Painting wood kitchen cabinets

This should be a relatively easy job. Just ensure you use a good quality sealant to prevent the oils in the wood affecting the paint. 

Note that, if you have an unpainted wooden kitchen and are planning to sell your house in the short- or medium-term, then perhaps think twice about painting them, as anything less than a perfect result could devalue your home. 

In addition, current kitchens trends are focused on natural, homely aesthetics, so wooden finishes are very popular.

Painting laminate kitchen cabinets 

Painting laminate cabinets is much more difficult than wood – and it's hard to get a lasting result. 

Consider your appetite for maintenance before you start. If you're not happy to touch them up semi-regularly, it might be best to leave this project. 

But if you're looking for a cheerful refresh rather than perfection, this can be a great way to update your kitchen. 

Just remember to sand well and use a good quality primer. Remember, the key is not to remove the laminate. If the finish is already peeling or bubbling, unfortunately you won't be able to fix this. 

Painting MDF kitchen cabinets

If you're repainting an MDF cabinet you first need to check on the type of finish. MDF cabinets are wrapped in either laminate (see above), plastic or vinyl. 

Whilst you can get a good result repainting laminate, we don't recommend painting plastic or vinyl. These surfaces are so slick that you are unlikely to get a good result.

If the finish is already peeling or bubbling, unfortunately you won't be able to fix this without completely stripping the vinyl from the doors.

Thinking of replacing your cabinets? Find out how to choose the best kitchen worktops and cabinets

Tips from DIYers

As well as talking to our experts, we also spoke with 48 Which? members who have either painted their cabinets themselves or had them painted by a professional. 

In total, 77% were satisfied with the result, while 19% were dissatisfied.

The most common issue reported was that the paint had started to peel, chip or degrade (31%). We surveyed people who painted their cabinets up to five years ago, so some amount of wear and tear is to be expected. 

We spoke to three Which? members in more depth to find out more about the process and the results. 

'I spent less than £150 and around 10 hours repainting my cabinets' - David, Durham

'I wanted a new colour for my kitchen but I didn't want to replace my cabinets as that would have meant replacing the Corian worktop,' said David. 'I decided to repaint the existing cabinets by myself. 

'It was a fairly straightforward job and the finish is excellent – even more durable than some of the original covering. I spent less than £150 and completed the task in around 10 hours. 

'My advice is to prepare your cabinets properly and always use a good primer. I'm really satisfied overall and would repaint my cabinets again if necessary.' 

'We refreshed our old kitchen, fixed our water damage and saved money' - Kevin, Somerset

'We inherited a varnished wood kitchen in late 2018 when we moved into our home,' said Kevin. 'The original cabinets were very good quality and we were happy with the layout. 

'In 2019 we decided to refresh the kitchen using a local company. We removed some unnecessary decorative mouldings, refurbished the drawer runners, changed the worktop and repainted the units in pale grey. 

'This year, after some water damage, the painter repainted the base units a deep green colour. This cost around £2,000 in total. 

'The paint is chipping slightly around some of the handles on the base units, but overall I am satisfied with the work. We have a customised kitchen – and it was much cheaper than buying new.' 

'I repainted my cabinets to preserve my old kitchen' - Richard, Surrey

'We bought a new cream kitchen from Howdens in 2007,' said Richard. 'We decided a couple of years ago that, although we were still very happy with the cabinets and the layout, they needed a refresh. 

'I repainted them dark blue and I am still satisfied with how it’s holding up. However, the finish isn't perfect, and I am going to have a second coat of colour added when we next have a painter in. 

'If I could redo it, I would definitely use an undercoat to help the colour stick. 

'Overall I am satisfied with the cabinets. It cost me around £60 to paint them in total, and I would do it again if necessary in the future.'

Painting kitchen cabinet FAQs

What's the easiest way to paint my kitchen cabinets?

The easiest way to paint kitchen cabinets is by using a sprayer. This method is quickest, and produces the smoothest and most durable results. 

However, it is very expensive – if you don't want to buy specialist equipment, a roller is also fairly fast. 

Bear in mind that preparing your cabinets will take almost as long, if not longer, than painting them. 

Do you paint both sides of kitchen cabinet doors?

Yes, you should paint both sides of your cabinet doors. 

But don't paint the interior of your cabinets. 

Can I paint over cabinets without sanding?

You can paint over your cabinets without sanding, but the results won't last. 

If you have painted or plain wood cabinets, sanding is less important, as paint sticks well to these surfaces. 

However, laminate-wrapped cabinets are very smooth, so paint doesn't adhere well and will chip and peel over time. 

If you don't want to sand your cabinets, then using a high-quality primer will help the paint adhere.

How do I clean my cabinets before painting?

You need to use a degreaser to clean your cabinets before painting them because years of grease and grime from cooking and frying builds up on surfaces in kitchens. 

If you don't remove this before painting, it'll mix with your paint, causing it to separate. 

Looking for inspiration? We consulted kitchen design experts to find out the top 5 kitchen trends for 2025